Great overview of the beautiful highlands of Scotland. Edinburgh is full of interesting sights, but we were all charmed by the small towns of Pitlochry, Fort William and Fort Augustus. Nice authentic meals, plenty of opportunities to explore and shop. Very friendly, flexible tour leader made everyone in the group feel welcomed. Good value overall.
We booked a trip aboard the Fingal of Caledonia for 12 family members in May 2024. We had the time of our lives. We are active folks between 59 and 74 years old. Together we celebrated our common Scottish ancestry and joy in hiking and being outdoors. This trip was a treasure. Gordon Steer of Walkers Britain capably facilitated the arrangements (for we 12, a "charter" designation applied). The accommodations aboard the Fingal barge worked well - while cabins are understandably snug, each has a shower and toilet and sink, and clever storage areas. The social hub aboard the Fingal is remarkably spacious. It's well equipped for socializing and dining (+ there is a small bar). There is a "drying room" available for damp clothing. The canals, locks, and lochs we traveled through and moored at were scenic and mostly calm for our May trip. The daily walks are stunning and varied -- it's not just towpath walking, though -- the lochs are edged by high hills. Several days require fairly demanding switchback walks to get to logging roads and hiking trails above the lochs. The reward is a sequence of stunning views, good places to stop for lunch, and the peace of a day beautifully spent, when we returned to the barge for the overnight. Fingal's crew (Skipper Chris, Bosun Steve, Chef Kevin and Guide Micheál) was outstanding. They are seasoned hosts and crew, and brightened our time on board. Micheál was an outstanding guide on the daily walks - knowledgeable and seasoned in working with groups. And a lot of fun. Similarly, the onboard crew are experts at their roles, and work together well to create a hospitable stay. Chris and Steve kept the boat on track (including through multiple locks daily, which we occasionally watched) and ensured that our travel needs were met. Chris briefed us daily on the next day's walk, using a table-length map and an antler as pointer. He reviewed our progress and ensured that we had all we needed for a comfortable stay. Steve keeps all the systems running on the renovated 1929 barge - he knows it inside out. Kevin prepared gourmet dinners and breakfasts daily, and packed tasty lunches to carry in our daypacks. In sum, I would book this trip again in a heartbeat - it was truly outstanding.
From start to finish our tour was the most enjoyable experience. Our tour guide Rob was full of knowledge and showed a genuine passion for his country and it's history. I was amazed at just how much we packed into our tour. All of the places we visited and what were able to see was done at a relaxed and comfortable pace without feeling rushed at any time. We had free time in most destinations and our guide was always ready with recommendations of what we could do and where to eat. I am a convert to Back-Roads and will be back for another tour!